Discharge device for an automatic washing machine



I Sept. 22, 1970 w. A. ECKERLE 3,529,775

DISCHARGE DEVICE FOR AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed March 12, 1969 |M fill INVENTOR. WiLLIAM A. ECKERLE BY g 6 H\S ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,529,775 DISCHARGE DEVICE FOR AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE William A. Eckerle, Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 12, 1969, Ser. No. 806,524 Int. Cl. B05b U2? US. Cl. 239-601 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fluid discharge device is provided having a housing wherein a chamber is defined having an enlarged upper portion and a funnel-shaped lower portion terminating in a downwardly directed discharge passageway having an outlet opening at the lower end thereof. One of the housing walls which define the chamber comprises an impact surface, perpendicularly toward which is directed a stream of fluid entering through an inlet opening in an opposite wall adjacent the upper portion of the chamber. A portion of the discharge passageway extending upwardly from the outlet opening is of constant cross-sectional area, and the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening is substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening. By this arrangement, fluid entering the chamber through the inlet opening strikes the impact surface and reflects toward the opposite wall, which action it is formed into a columnar stream by the discharge passageway and is then discharged at a relatively low velocity through the outlet opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to automatic washing machines and, more particularly, to an improved fluid discharge device for such machines.

A discharge device of the type described herein is particularly adapted, though not necessarily limited thereto, for use in conjunction with a portable automatic dishwasher of the type which derives its source of water from a faucet, and discharges its contaminated fluid to a sink disposed beneath the faucet. It has long been a problem, in conjunction with a discharge device supported above a sink, that the discharge fluid splashes as it strikes the sink. Such splashing is aggravated by the high discharge flow rate that must be maintained to drain the machine in a reasonable length of time. Various devices have been proposed heretofore to minimize splashing including baffle structures or screen-like aerator devices to reduce the energy level of the fluid as it leaves the discharge device. Such devices, however, have been subject to clogging due to the contaminate content of the fluid discharged from the washing machine. The present invention is directed toward overcoming the aforementioned splash problem without giving rise to the secondary problem of clogging.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a new and improved fluid discharge means for an automatic washing machine.

It is another object of my invention to provide a dis charge device for an automatic washing machine which minimizes the splash as the fluid discharges therefrom.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a nonclogging discharge device.

It is a more specific object of my invention to provide such a non-clogging discharge device which provides a continuous unimpeded passageway for the removal of solid particles, and yet which modifies the energy of the fluid stream being pumped from an automatic washing machine such that splashing is minimized.

3,529,775 Patented Sept. 22, 1970 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device to direct the flow from the discharge conduit of an automatic wash ing machine into a receptacle, comprising a housing having a plurality of walls defining a chamber therein. The chamber has an enlarged upper portion and a funnel shaped lower portion which terminates in a downwardly directed discharge passageway having an outlet opening at the lower end thereof. One of the walls comprises an impact surface, and the wall opposite the one wall has an inlet opening formed therein adjacent the upper portion of the chamber for admitting fluid from the discharge conduit to the chamber in a direction generally perpendicular to the impact surface. At least a portion of the discharge passageway extends upwardly from the outlet opening at a constant cross-sectional area therewith, and the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening is sub stantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening. By this arrangement, fluid entering the chamber through the inlet opening is caused to strike the impact surface and reflect therefrom toward the opposite wall thereby breaking up and spreading out the fluid flow in the chamber, following which, the fluid flow is formed into a columnar stream by the discharge passageway and discharged at a relatively low velocity into the receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partially cut away to show details, of one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated a coupling 10 for connecting an automatic washing machine to a water faucet 11. Coupling 10 includes a generally elongated body portion or housing 12 which has means 13 at one end to secure the body portion 12 to the faucet 11. A lever 14, pivotally associated with plate 15, is provided to facilitate operation of means 13 during the connection and disconnection of coupling 10 with faucet 11.

The upper part of body portion or housing 12 is provided with a fresh water passageway 16 which includes an inlet (not shown) in supply relation with faucet 11, and an outlet 17 in a side wall of body portion 12. A hose 18, or other suitable tubing, interconnects outlet 17 to the fresh water inlet at the automatic washing machine.

In order to permit the drawing of fresh water from faucet 11 without necessitating the disconnection of coupling 10, an auxiliary faucet structure is provided including a fitting 19 which has one end extending into passage- Way 16 and the other end adapted to receive one leg 20 of a handle member 21. As can be seen from FIG. 1, leg 20 is hollow to form a passageway 22 therein for the conduction of liquid therethrough. Handle member 21 also includes additional legs 23 and 24 which are generally longitudinally aligned with each other and are generally perpendicular to leg 20. Leg 23 is hollow to form a passageway 25. As is readily apparent, liquid may pass from passageway 16 through passageway 22 and passageway 25 to be dispensed through an outlet 26 at the lower end of leg 23. Seals 27 and 28 are provided to prevent fluid leakage between the junctures of body portion 12, fitting 19 and leg 20 of handle 21.

In order to control the flow of liquid from passageway 16 into passageway 22, the end of fitting 19 which adjoins passageway 16 is provided with a valve seat. The valve seat cooperates with a gasket 29 and a valve head 30 to close off passageway 22 from passageway 16. A valve stem 31 extends from valve head 30 along the longitudinal axis of passageway 22 and terminates generally at the juncture of legs 20 and 24.

Carried within leg 24 is a valve operator including a manually operable button 32 which extends beyond the end of the leg 24. The valve operator includes a shaft 33 extending downwardly into passageway 22.

A spring 34 is provided to normally bias button 32 and shaft 33 upwardly. As can be seen from FIG. 1, when button 32 is depressed, spring 34 is compressed and the end of shaft 33 engages the end of stem 31 and, as the button 32 is depressed further, stem 31 is moved laterally of passageway 22. This lateral movement of stem 31 results in valve head 30 and gasket 29 pivoting about a point near their upper extremity where this extremity engages the end of fitting 19. As valve head 30 and gasket 29 pivot, the lower portion of gasket 29 separates from the end of fitting 19 thereby allowing fluid within passageway 16 to enter passageway 22.

In accordance with the present invention, an elfluent discharge device 35 is provided in the lower part of body portion or housing 12 for discharging contaminant fluid from the machine into a sink or other receptacle (not shown). Housing 12 comprises a plurality of Walls defining a chamber 36 therein. Chamber 36 has an enlarged upper portion and a funnel-shaped elongated lower portion which terminates in a downwardly directed discharge passageway 37 having an outlet opening 38 of smaller cross-sectional area than that of the enlarged portion of chamber 36. One of the walls defining chamber 36 comprises a substantially planar, vertically disposed impact surface 39. Opposite the impact surface 39 is a wall 40 having an inlet opening 41 formed therein for admitting vitiated fluid from the washing machine through discharge conduit 42. Opening 41 is oriented to admit fluid from conduit 42 in a direction generally perpendicular to impact surface 39. From chamber 36, the fluid stream is directed into discharge passageway 37 and exhausted through outlet opening 38.

In the preferred embodiment of my device, discharge passageway 37 has a substantial length of constant crosssection extending upwardly from outlet opening 38. Furthermore, as may be understood by a comparison of the cross-sectional area of circular inlet opening 41 with the cross-sectional area of outlet opening 38 shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional area of outlet opening 38 is substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of inlet opening 41.

Vitiated fluid from the washing machine is forced into discharge conduit 42 by a pump within the machine. Due to the orientation of inlet opening 41, the fluid flow from conduit 42 enters chamber 36 in a direction generally perpendicular to impact surface 39. Upon striking impact surface 39, the fluid is reflected toward opposite wall 40. By this and other possible reflections of the fluid stream back and forth between impact surface 39 and opposite wall 40 within chamber 36, the fluid flow is broken up and spread out and much of its energy is absorbed in this process. Following the turbulent intermixing of the fluid flow within chamber 36, the discharge passageway reforms the flow into a columnar stream of larger crosssection and lower velocity than that at inlet opening 41, and discharges this low velocity stream through outlet opening 38 with minimal splashing.

As was previously mentioned, my system is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with automatic washing machines wherein it is desirable to minimize the splashing of a fluid being discharged under high velocity into a sink or other receptacle, and wherein it is essential that the fluid discharge device employed not be subject to clogging. From the foregoing description it should now be apparent that the present invention, by breaking up and spreading out the flow of fluid thereby reducing its velocity, and by forming the fluid flow into a columnar stream, thereby provides a gentle fluid discharge and minimizes splashing. Furthermore, as my device incorporates no baffles or other flow restriction devices, it is not subject to the clogging problem common to many previously known devices.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of the construction of the example illustrated, and it is contemplated that various other modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended to cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A device to direct flow from the discharge conduit of an automatic washing machine into a receptacle, comprising:

a housing having a plurality of walls defining a chamber therein having an enlarged upper portion and a funnel-shaped elongated lower portion terminating in a downwardly directed discharge passageway having an outlet opening at the lower end thereof;

one of said walls comprising an impact surface;

the wall opposite said impact surface having an inlet opening formed therein adjacent the upper portion of said chamber for admitting fluid from said discharge conduit to said chamber in a direction generally perpendicular to impact surface;

at least a portion of said discharge passageway extending upwardly from said outlet opening at a constant cross-sectional area therewith; and

said cross-sectional area of said outlet opening being substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of said inlet opening;

the cross-sectional area of said enlarged portion being larger than said cross-sectional area of said discharge passageway;

whereby fluid entering said chamber through said inlet opening is caused to strike said impact surface and reflect therefrom toward said opposite wall thereby breaking up and spreading out the fluid flow in said chamber, following which, the fluid flow is formed into a columnar stream by said discharge passageway and discharged at a relatively low velocity into the receptacle.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said impact surface is substantially planar.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,886,623 11/1932 Barnes 137801 X 3,064,678 11/1962 Sharnes et al 137-562 3,306,319 2/1967 Kendt et al. l37562 FOREIGN PATENTS 824,804- 12/ 1959 Great Britain.

M. HENSON WOOD, In, Primary Examiner J. I. LOVE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 68-408; l37562; 239-602 

